New MCSA: Cloud Platform Certification

Among the many Microsoft Certification changes and updates announced around the Microsoft Ignite 2016 conference recently is the addition of the brand new MCSA: Cloud Platform certification. There are a total of 5 Microsoft Azure specific exam, and this new MCSA certification wraps those up into an easier certification to achieve. But, don’t worry, you only need to pass 2 of the exams to earn the new MCSA: Cloud Platform certification.

What exams qualify?

With the recent changes there have not been any new certification exams announced, so currently there are the same 5 Azure exams we’ve had for awhile now. Here’s the list of exams to choose from for the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification:

As you can see, the topics covered by the exams for the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification have a fairly good range in areas around the Microsoft Azure cloud; from infrastructure, to development, to architecture, to data and big data.

Which exams should I take?

The requirements for the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification are setup similarly to the new MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification that it’s a foundational path for. You pick the specific exams that fit your expertise, work role, and/or interests in a way that tailors your MCSA: Cloud Platform certification in the direction you want. However, it can be difficult to choose which exams to take, so here’s a list of some example “expertise areas” and the suggested exams you could take to earn an MCSA: Cloud Platform certification that’s tailored for that area:

Azure / Cloud Developer

70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions

Azure / Cloud Infrastructure and Architecture

70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

Big Data Architect

70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions

Azure / Cloud Data and Big Data

70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions

70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions

Azure / Cloud Big Data Developer

70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions

The above are just a few examples of the different combinations of 2 exams you could take to earn the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification.

Foundation for MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

The MCSA: Cloud Platform is one of the 4 different new MCSA certifications that provide the foundation to earning the new MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification. There have been some “foundational” type paths in Microsoft certifications in the past, but the new changes to the program offer different certification paths in a fairly easy to follow way. You can choose the path that fits you best with the appropriate exams, and there’s plenty of room to turn it up to 11 and earn the full MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification.

The path from MCSA: Cloud Platform to MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification only requires a total of 3 exams to be passed. You take the first 2 to earn the MCSA: Cloud Platform (as shown above), and then you take 1 additional elective exam to upgrade that MCSA to earn the full MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification!

The MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure offers a total of 10 elective exams to choose from! This give you full flexibility to tailor your certification to your own interests, expertise or work role with plenty of options to choose the path best for you!

Happy studying!

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Posted by Chris Pietschmann

Chris is a 6-time Microsoft MVP and has nearly 20 years of experience building enterprise systems both in the cloud and on-premises. He is also a Certified Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect (both MCSD and MCSE), a Microsoft Certified Trainer, and self proclaimed Cloud Advocate. He has a passion for technology and sharing what he learns with others to help enable them to learn faster and be more productive.

The title “Architect” has become a bit ambiguous in the IT industry. It doesn’t have the same meaning at every company. I think the direction Microsoft is taking with the certification is to eliminate any possible confusion. IMO

I can’t actually find these 2 exams in any of the MCSA certifications, I wonder if they’ve changed the exam requirements and updated the MSCAs. I can see MCSA: Data Engineering with Azure which looks like 70-475 but is slightly different.

Are there any books that can help to prepare for MCSA.
I am planning to prepare for the following two exams. Please suggest the best methods,resources and prerequisites to prepare for these two exams. Thanks

We are a Gold Cloud Partner company and two of my team members had cleared 70-533 exam in Dec 2015. Our partnership status is due for renewal in April 2018, so do we need these (or other two) individuals to retake 70-533 exam or can it still be counted while applying? How can I know if this exam is still valid and can be counted for while applying for partnership?

Also, there are 3 categories for Data Analytics – Advanced, Beginner and Power BI. If we clear criteria for any one of them, can we say we are Data Analytics Gold/Silver certified, or we need to be specific while mentioning on our website that we are “Data Analytics Beginner Silver Partner”.

I’m not too familiar with the requirements of the MS Partner Program in regards to retaking exams. I would assume as long as the exam and the earned certification is still showing as “Active” on your MCP Transcript that it will still count towards the requirements for the Partner program. Although, I would contact Microsoft an inquire about this just to make sure. Thanks.